# Homer Simpson's colonoscopy **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 6, 2008, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homer-simpsons-colonoscopy/462326 "2008-09-06T11:48:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2008, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homer-simpsons-colonoscopy/462326/1 "2008-09-06T11:48:42Z")
A [clever bit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSiAwhljnMI) from last night’s multi-network _Stand Up To Cancer_ special. Remember, early detection can prevent cancer. Also, don’t be Homer. Seriously. Don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2008, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homer-simpsons-colonoscopy/462326/2 "2008-09-06T12:17:56Z")
I hate when they’re inconsistent. He should have said, “You’re going to get your boobs embiggened _again_?” ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homer-simpsons-colonoscopy/462326/3 "2008-09-06T14:16:39Z")
“That bar bet paid for the camera removal!” _snerk_ Not bad. Better than most of the current Simpsons stuff. Maybe they should go back to making shorts instead of full length episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2008, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homer-simpsons-colonoscopy/462326/4 "2008-09-06T23:58:12Z")
Reasonably funny and I liked “embiggened” showing up again. But Homer’s 40 and I think colonoscopies are recommended for guys at age 50. Either way I guess I’ll think of this episode if I live to 50 and can bear the idea of having one of these. ---
**Author:** ![BuzzSaw101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a3d4f5/32.png) [@BuzzSaw101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BuzzSaw101)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homer-simpsons-colonoscopy/462326/5 "2008-09-07T00:18:14Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Reasonably funny and I liked “embiggened” showing up again. But Homer’s 40 and I think colonoscopies are recommended for guys at age 50. Either way I guess I’ll think of this episode if I live to 50 and can bear the idea of having one of these. I am 32 and I had my second colonoscopy on Tuesday. I had my first 5 years ago. The worst part is the fasting, I don’t know if Homer could have done it. I went about 41 hours without eating Sunday night to Tuesday afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2008, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homer-simpsons-colonoscopy/462326/6 "2008-09-07T04:00:53Z")
A screening colonoscopy (that is, a colonoscopy in an asymptomatic patient) is recommended for all patients over 50, and all patients who have a first-degree relative with colon cancer ten years before that relative was diagnosed. Homer’s age has been stated as anywhere from 36-40, and while that is wildly inconsistent it appears to be what they’re sticking to. In that case, unless he has a first-degree relative with CCa, it is not indicated for him. Clinical indications are there for a reason. A colonoscopy is a procedure with risks, and before a certain age the chance of finding something you can fix compares unfavorably to the risk of a serious complication. Not to mention, insurance companies usually won’t pay for non-indicated procedures.